Life can be stressful and even when we have plenty of downtime to relax, it seems that we still spend time worrying about things we should try to put out of our mind to relax and unwind. While a short vacation may be ideal for some people to distress from their hectic lifestyle, there are others who prefer a more permanent solution to help them unwind properly.

Butuan is a city that has a low cost of living, beautiful natural scenery and many ways to alleviate the stress of day to day life. If you’ve considered hopping on a plane and heading off to see the world one country at a home or even making a long-term move to a tropical paradise, then Butuan is a place that should be heavily considered for the move.

With the help of an international shipper, you can easily have your property transported. If you want to import a car, you will need an import permit from the Philippine Consulate and you should contact a company like A-1 Auto Transport to handle the transport for you. Once that is handled, you can focus on the great opportunities you will have to help live a life less stressed in paradise.

Things to Do in Butuan

Nightlife in The City

There are so many fun things to do in Butuan that one simply could not name them all without writing a novel. For starters, the Butuan nightlife is one that will create lasting memories even if you only get to venture out a night or two during your stay.

You can find quaint lounges where you can sit back, sip on an imported beer and listen to a little jazz music playing softly in the background, or, you can check out the local nightclubs where DJ’s from all around the Philippines come out at night to spin a little dance music and get the crowds going.

At night, a whole new world will open to you where you can relax and feel free for a few hours, or even the whole night as you head to the dancefloor or sit back and socialize with friends.

The Ocean and River

Nothing says Butuan better than the superb scenery you will see when you arrive. Nature abounds in this beautiful city and you’re going to have more than enough to enjoy life in the great outdoors every single day.

Diving is amazing in Butuan’s near places and whether you are a novice to the sport or you are a diving pro, you will find some of the best dive sites in the Philippines where you can see the most amazing underwater scenes like in Carmen and Jabonga, places that are closer to Butuan.

Like to unwind in a beautiful sunset and amazing horizon in Butuan Bay as you prefer Masao Beach Resort as you are in the right area for sure. You can stay close to the shore or head out a little farther to catch some gnarly waves and ride them back in for some great excitement and a well spent day at the beach.

If you prefer to stay in the sand and watch the blue seas and sail boats, you won’t find much in life that is more relaxing than the sound of the ocean and wind, and sipping on a fruity beverage to keep the heat down a little. Be sure to use your sunscreen when you head out for a day in the sun!

The Woods

Have you ever wanted to zip through the jungle like Tarzan? If so, you will be pleased to know that the largest zipline in the Philippines is located right in Butuan. Delta Discovery Park is just outside the city and has just over a mile of zipline fun waiting for you. You can get to the park by Jeep or ATV. Many people enjoy traveling to the park as you must travel over some rugged roadways as you ascend into the mountainous areas.

Another great thing about Butuan is the waterfalls. Since the Philippines is a group of islands, you are going to find numerous waterfalls throughout Butuan. Some falls include Campo Uno Falls, Bugsukan Falls and nearby town falls, the Tagnote Falls. These and many more are just a short hike or drive into the mountains from Butuan and they offer a great escape as well as a fun day of hiking and exploration of the area like the Mt. Mayapay trekking.

Food

You will never lack for great food once you arrive in Butuan. There are the most amazing restaurants here and chances are that once you try the local cuisine, you will be spoiled for life.

You will find the best seafood including a local fish called Gingaw that is seasoned and grilled to perfection. The flavor will linger on your taste buds and when you try fish anywhere else, it just won’t compare to the Gingaw the way the Filipinos prepare it.

You will also find the best baked goods and coffee shops where you can sit down and take time to unwind with a sweet delicacy while having a long conversation with your partner or a friend or while checking your email.

You can also find a few Americanized restaurants where you can grab a cheeseburger and a shake. You may find however, that trying as many dishes of the Philippines as possible can help you find the road to better health and well-being as well as pampering your taste buds.

Most restaurants use fresh ingredients and many of the vegetables and fruits are grown fresh right in Butuan and the surrounding area. Fish is caught fresh and served daily and you will find out fast how great food is without the preservatives and heavy sugars and seasonings you may be used to back in the states.

Make Your Move!

source: skyscrapercity.com

Moving to Butuan does not need to be difficult. You can easily find a great home rental or even one to buy with the help of a licensed real estate professional. When you work with a realtor, you will have the opportunity to locate homes that suit your lifestyle and needs much easier than if you attempt to tackle house hunting on your own.

You should keep in mind that while you can purchase a home in Butuan, you won’t be able to purchase the land it sits on unless you are married to a Filipino or have a Filipino partner who will place the land in their name. The government likes to keep land available only to citizens but does welcome foreigners to live, work and own their own home.

Once you have your visa and have found the perfect home to live in, you need to take plenty of time to relax and explore the area. It won’t take longer than a few minutes to feel your stress roll away and feel the happiness of living in paradise take over.

We have seen the growth of Butuan’s economy during the logging industries in the 1960s up to the present modern-day Butuan. Land’s development has been critical for local improvement, and many land owners are starting to embark on business on real estate as they tend to expose their property as to land for sale in Butuan to attract investors from other places.

source: Clint Ong Cañete

Butuan City declared as the center of Caraga Region through RA 7901 creating Caraga Administrative Region or Region XIII, or also known as Northeastern Mindanao which comprises the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, and the cities of Butuan, Surigao, Bislig, Bayugan, Cabadbaran, and Tandag. This is when the economic booming activities of Butuan has just begun in 1995.

Butuan City is rich in history. As we know it has already established trading relations in Asia in 11 AD, and subsequently, became the trading and commercial center. Historically, it is also known as the Home of the Balangays, or the Ancient Kingdom of Butuan due to the presence of rajahnate, such as of two known brave king brothers in Butuan, Rajah Kulambu and Rajah Siagu.

When Ferdinand Magellan came in 1521, he established business relations with Butuanons kings and its peoples due to the vast presence of golds, valuing Butuan as the most important places in dealing with peoples, lands, and its natural resources. During those times, Butuan already introduces the importance of property values such as golds, silvers, bronzes and other precious metals including porcelain and ceramics.

As years passed, land ownership dominated the strength and power of individuals through Feudalism, owning vast areas of land as equally important as owning a kingdom with your own peoples under you. A piece of land provides value to individual owners in terms of social, political and economic orders. Until such a time landlord and tenants relationship fully exist.

source: Nonat Cayomo

Modern Butuan

Butuan City is a Highly Urbanized City have grown economically in terms of infrastructure, projects, and building construction. Butuan is also fast-becoming a cosmopolitan city. Currently, more than 260 financial institutions are operating in the city which includes the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. There are three major commercial centers catering its populace. These are Robinsons Place Butuan, Puregold Price Club, and Gaisano. Leading mall developer, SM, is expected to break ground by the 1st quarter of 2017. High-end real estate developers, such as Filinvest Homes Butuan and Camella Homes Butuan, have put up their residential projects in the city. The West Highlands Butuan is also developing another exclusive community with a 9-hole golf course. More low- and medium-cost housing projects are sprouting in the outskirts of the city evident of the city’s strong market for shelter. Famous food brands have also opened shops in the city such as Jollibee, McDonald’s, Chowking, Greenwich, Mang Inasal, Red Ribbon, Goldilocks, Gerry’s Grill, Max’s and Bo’s Coffee.

source: Butuan Grand Palace Hotel FB Page

The booming constructions and projects as we can witness along the streets of Butuan will relate how the value of property jumps from low price to being competitive as the demands of more development in the city. One aspect is the presence of sub-business districts wherein the value of property in the center is the highest then start to go down as it makes a distance from the center. One example is the location along the Jollibee Centro wherein is the highest property value then slide down to Land Bank (Ong Hoc Building) as the property value started to drop.

Hence, another sub-business district existed at Gaisano Mall Butuan, then another sub-business district at Robinsons Place Butuan. The jump in the value of the property is felt within this specific area due to the presence of huge establishments. Soon in the future, this sub-business districts will dramatically increase due to the ongoing infrastructure development and increasing investors putting up business in the city.

As to the value of the property particularly land, there was an increase every year because of lots of establishments sproutings in the heart of the city, and even in the peripherals. Butuan has a total land area of 81,000 hectares, a flat land surrounded by mountains that form part of Agusan Vally. Due to its shape as being flat and wide with the presence of huge Agusan River, it is ideal for investors to come in and pour their investments. Their presence will spur the development of real estate in Butuan such as building construction, the presence of residential development, and infrastructure projects.

Buy and sell activities are the main action in business, land for sale in Butuan, and even houses for sale in Butuan are the hottest in the industry today. Many are involves getting their share in the business for real estate for sale in Butuan. Licensed Real Estate Brokers and Appraisers along with their agents are actively involves in buy and sell especially land for sale in Butuan.

If the land for sale proximity in the heart of the City, then the value is high as it takes closer to the center or the sub-business district. I have learned that a single large property ready to be disposed of can take for a few minutes ride to reach the center could be around Php1500 to Php2000 per square meters. If it is longer to reach the business center or located along the City’s peripheral barangays could be around Php200 to Php500 per square meters. Anyway, that’s my experience and could change from time to time. I learned that Jollibee Centro, the center of one of the sub-business district could value to Php30,000 per square meters, and that was 4 years ago.

source: Watergate Hotel Butuan

Well, Butuan is moving to a cosmopolitan City. Investors are started coming in to pour all their investments.